UN Global Perspective Review 2015

Throughout 2015, terrorist attacks took place around the globe with increasing frequency, with often devastating consequences. In the Middle East, the terrorist group ISIL gained ground and claimed responsibility for a string of especially heinous attacks. Radicals who pledged their allegiance to ISIL went on to carry out attacks in other parts of the world, including Western Europe, North Africa and the United States. Meanwhile, militant groups such as Boko Haram in West Africa vowed support for ISIL, raising fears about the growth of extremism worldwide. In September, world leaders gathered at the UN in New York for an unprecedented summit aimed at combating terrorism. Matthew Wells brought us the story.

Throughout this past year, millions of people fled their homes, resulting in the worst refugee crisis since the Second World War. Many of them were fleeing brutal conflicts in places like Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Libya. More than 700,000 people arrived on European shores in 2015, many of them traveling on overcrowded rafts and boats operated by people smugglers. Thousands perished along the way, including nearly 50 people traveling on a vessel destined for Europe from Libya in mid-August.In the days after the tragedy, Daniel Johnson spoke with Joel Millman from the UN partner agency, the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

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UN ushers in new era of development, climate action

2015 marked the start of a new era of development cooperation following the adoption of Agenda 2030 and the new global goals. The development agenda agreed in September by the 193 countries that make up the UN sets out an ambitious path that promises a sustainable future for all people and the planet. Ana Carmo reports.

Pope Francis. UN Photo/Cia Pak

Pope Francis visits the UN in New York

In another major first in 2015, in September, the leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis travelled to the United States, where he addressed the UN General Assembly in New York. In a wide-ranging speech, the Pontiff told leaders that more needed to be done to help the world's most disadvantaged people in times of peace and war. Daniel Dickinson led our coverage.